Buckingham in to replace JR.

With Rizla Suzuki's John Reynolds crashed out of the 13th and final round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch GP circuit Suzuki's Privateer Cup Champion James Buckingham will step into the breach for this weekend.

Reigning Champion JR was on his third lap of the 2.6-mile circuit in morning practice when he crashed into the tyre wall between Druids and Graham Hill Bend, meaning the outgoing champ will miss his season finale with the injuries sustained.

James Buckingham. British Superbike Cup Champion. Quay Garage Suzuki.
James Buckingham. British Superbike Cup Champion. Quay Garage Suzuki.
© Paul Sturman

With Rizla Suzuki's John Reynolds crashed out of the 13th and final round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch GP circuit Suzuki's Privateer Cup Champion James Buckingham will step into the breach for this weekend.

Reigning Champion JR was on his third lap of the 2.6-mile circuit in morning practice when he crashed into the tyre wall between Druids and Graham Hill Bend, meaning the outgoing champ will miss his season finale with the injuries sustained.

Buckingham was quickly drafted into the the squad and he too crashed out of the afternoon practice session before setting a competitive lap time.

Reynold's team-mate James Haydon was third fastest in the opening practice session and ended the day ninth overall after testing tyres and suspension parts on his GSX-R1000.

"I wish that this opportunity to race for Rizla Suzuki had not come about in this manner and JR was still able to race this weekend," said Buckingham.

Haydon's thoughts too were with his team-mate. "My thoughts are with JR right now and I hope he gets well soon," he said.

"This afternoon we tested parts on my Rizla Suzuki and I am sure we can run fast lap times consistently on race rubber. Now it's down to tomorrow and doing my best to get a good qualification and grid position for the races on Sunday."

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